Information and Communication Design, B.A.

Websites, interfaces, brochures, books, posters, trademarks - we are surrounded by the works of Communication Designers. Good communication design is not only functional but receptive to emotional aspects as well. This is why communication designers have to find solutions to a huge variety of questions: Which feature does a user interface need to make it easy to operate? What kind of package design is suited best to emphasise the qualities of a product? How can a diagram distil complex information into a more easily understandable form? Which image is most appropriate to capture the power and fascination of music on a concert poster? How can I find a creative and intelligent concept to help a business stand out from the crowd? The list goes on.

Designers of the future will not just be responsible for staging the products of others. Working in interdisciplinary teams, they will be tasked more and more with developing contents, products and services from scratch. This is why at Rhine-Waal we put a special emphasis on interdisciplinary cooperation and work closely with our faculty´s IT experts, psychologists, natural scientists, engineers and economists.

Our approach to teaching and learning focuses on the cutting-edge, for example future-oriented design areas like interface and motion design. Throughout your study you will benefit from continuous access to state-of-the-art equipment, computers and tools used in professional media production.

The programme is taught in English to provide you with language skills that will be highly appreciated by future clients and employers who increasingly approach design from a global point of view.

What you will study

In your first year you will be introduced to creative, technical and theoretical fundamentals and are offered courses in illustration and photography to advance your skills in crucial design techniques.

Starting with the third semester you will undertake a large number of practical design projects which are the heart of our degree programme. The diverse range of practice and processes you can engage with are editorial design, corporate design, integrated communication, campaign, exhibition design, information design, and web design. In many of our projects we co-operate with external institutions and companies to provide you with opportunities to gather design experience in a the real world setting. Although the focus is on practical work, we also emphasize the history and theory of design through lectures and seminars.

Technical skills are another core element of our curriculum. Up to your 4th semester you will develop your knowledge of interface design, online design und motion design along with your project-based learning.

After spending time abroad or undertaking a work placement in the 6th semester, you will start working on your bachelor's thesis. Again this will be a practical design project, this time accompanied by an academic paper.

From day one you will also develop key skills like project management, rhetoric, presentation and entrepreneurship to the best of your ability.

Career prospects

In our degree programme we pay particular attention to advancing your conceptual and creative skills and aim to give you a head-start as you embark on a career in the creative industries. By the time you graduate you will have compiled a portfolio that showcases your strength as a well-rounded, creative and versatile designer.

This way you will be well prepared for a career in media, design and advertising agencies or as a freelance designer.

When and how to apply

The course starts in winter semester. The application process consists of two parts which are both mandatory. The primary admission is based on the submission of a portfolio of your work (Mappenprüfung). Please find more information on the portfolio application and portfolio advice sessions here.

The second part is an application using our application portal or uni-assist in case you do not have a German entry qualification to higher education.